Former multi-division world champion Nonitio Donaire now appears close to landing another world title, this time against Alexandro Santiago. The bout which is rumored for July 15th, was first reported by NoSmokeSport, as the fight would take place for the vacant WBC bantamweight world title. The fight was approved by the WBC in February, but no other news has been brought to light.
Naoya Inoue, who defeated Nonito Donaire twice, once in a fight of the year classic in 2019, and then last year via a second-round stoppage, has moved up to super bantamweight, leaving all four of his undisputed world titles vacant.
Recently, Jason Moloney won the vacant WBO bantamweight title, while Inoue's brother, Takuma Inoue now holds the WBA title. This fight would secure champions with three of the four major belts with the IBF bantamweight title, being the only one in need of a champion.
Donaire fought once last year, as he was stopped by Inoue in June of last year. Prior to that loss, Donaire was the oldest bantamweight world champion in the history of the sport, when he defeated Nordine Oubaali in 2021.
Santiago has emerged as a top contender after losing a close majority-decision fight to Gary Antonio Russell that many felt he should've been awarded, since that fight Santiago has won three straight fights including his last win a stoppage over top contender Antonio Nieves in October of 2022.
